William Bell

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William A. Bell, Sr was first elected to the Birmingham City Council in 1977, representing District 5. He was elected City Council president in 1985, becoming the first African-American to hold that seat. He was re-elected to that position in 1987 and again in 1997. He served briefly as interim Mayor of Birmingham after the retirement of Richard Arrington in 1999, and entered the 2001 Birmingham mayoral election as a decided favorite.

Bell's campaign that year raised over $1 million, placing him far ahead of any other candidate. He won the most votes in the general election, but was forced into a primary with Bernard Kincaid, who had 27%. In a stunning rally, however, Kincaid bested Bell 51% to 49% in the runoff. Bell returned to the position of City Council President, where he was accused of actively disrupting the mayor's ability to perform his job. Bell subsequently lost his Council seat in the 2001 Birmingham City Council election to newcomer Elias Hendricks in a vote that was widely interpreted as supporting Kincaid over the incumbent council.

Bell ran for mayor in 2003, finishing in third place. He successfully challenged Hendricks for the District 5 Council seat in 2005 and is currently a candidate for the 2007 Birmingham mayoral election.

Bell is a graduate of Parker High School and earned his Master's degree in psychology and guidance counseling from UAB and a Juris Doctorate from Miles College in Birmingham. He is married to the former Sharon Carson and has two children, both graduates of Ramsay High School and the University of Alabama.

Bell serves on the Council's Transportation and Communication Committee and the Public Safety Committee. He claims the following accomplishments in his official biography:

  • Intstrumental in implementing the council consent agenda for expediting approval of non-controversial initiatives.
  • Assisted in funding development of a fitness track and mini-park at Legion Field.
  • Responsible for Park Place, the first Hope VI project in downtown Birmingham.
  • Generated more than $197 million for Birmingham schools and $87 million for UAB capital improvements through the council.
Preceded by:
Richard Arrington 		Mayor of Birmingham (interim)
1999 		Succeeded by:
Bernard Kincaid

References

  • Bryant, Joseph D. (June 17, 2007) "Bell announces he'll run for mayor." Birmingham News.
  • Bryant, Joseph D. (September 2, 2007) "Hopefuls have just weeks to win votes." Birmingham News.

External link

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